The Compound

Sunday afternoon and Monday morning -

In 2000 our daughter Jennifer came to Tamale for 8 months to work alongside Sister Jacqueline, a Catholic nun who was providing assistance to women in distress.   Jen needed a place to live and she was able to rent a room in a compound in the center of Tamale.   It is the beige-coloured building in the background. 

Jennifer shared the courtyard with Ghanaian families who lived in the same compound.  They became her friends and her family.  In January 2001 we came for a visit and shared Jen’s home for 3 weeks.  Coming back to Tamale almost 12 years later we were eager to visit the compound.  Sunday afternoon we walked along Hilltop Road, trying to find the spot.  And find it we did, because it was the only compound along there with a door on the side. 

 When we entered the courtyard a gracious young woman welcomed us.  Sherry remembered Jennifer well, though she was only 9 at the time.  Her mother was the fish seller.  Sherry has started nurses training.  

 We visited with Ahmed, the owner of the compound, and he was willing to have his photo taken in front of the door to Jen’s old place. 

Ah, there's that red door!  So many memories here of our time in Tamale with Jennifer in 2001.

Rus (Roosh) arrived home while we were there.  He was a teacher who lived in the next room to Jennifer.  Rus had spotted us on the street the day before!  He walked right up to us and asked if we were Ken and Carolee!   He was pleased to show us that he has done well with the plants that Jennifer gave him when she left.  

 

  

Monday we were back to see Agnes, who runs a seamstress school in the small blue building next to the compound.  After we came someone called her on their cell phone – yes, cell phones are a way of life here too!  When Sister Agnes arrived she ran to meet us.
   

You can see her below with the fancy head covering that matches her dress.
 

 

We stayed to watch Agnes and the young women at work.

Then someone came by on a motorbike – none other than Gifty, another of Jennifer’s neighbours and a dear friend.   She now has 4 children.   

 Gifty was on her way to her secretarial job.
 

She told us that she is also going to school, studying business and administration.